What can I do to help?

There’s a lot you can do to make a difference in reducing stormwater pollution! Every day we do little things that add to the pollution being flushed down our storm drains. By identifying your pollution contribution, you can reverse the effect. Here are some areas in which you can help:

Vehicles

Cars are the biggest contributor of pollution in urban runoff. They leak oil, fuel, and other toxic chemicals. Brake pads release copper. Tires release zinc and other toxic chemicals. And washing your car rubs off bits of metal and chemicals, not to mention the harsh soap you may use to wash your car. All of these things end up in our gutters and pollute our watersheds. Here are some things you can do to make your car cleaner:

Check vehicles, boats and other machinery for leaks and make repairs as soon as possible

Recycle used oil and other automotive fluids at service facilities

Sweep your driveway instead of spraying it down with water

Lawn and Garden

Traditional lawns and gardens are all too often in competition with the environment rather than working with it. Lawns and many non-native plants consume large amounts of water, especially when we overwater them. The overuse of fertilizer leaches excess nutrients which then get flushed down the storm drain either by storm or sprinkler. And all sorts of other debris and yard waste can clog up storm drains if it gets in the gutter. Here are some things you can do to conserve and protect water sources:

Home Improvement

Home projects can create all sorts of chemicals that are toxic to our health. That’s why we can’t let them get into our stormwater. When doing home improvement, try these steps to keep our watersheds clean:

Reduce the amount of pavement and increase the amount of vegetated area on your property. Or consider replacing hard surfaced pavements with permeable pavements

Before beginning an outdoor project, locate the nearest storm drains and protect them from debris

Sweep up and properly dispose of excess construction material

Use hazardous materials (e.g. paints and cleaners) in the smallest amounts possible and if spilled clean up immediately

Use nontoxic, biodegradable and recycled material whenever possible

Pets, Pools, and Septics

Stormwater pollution can come in many different forms, even some you normally wouldn’t think about. If any of these special situations apply to you, here’s how you can help: